Parallel

Parallel Par"al*lel, n. 1. A line which, throughout its whole extent, is equidistant from another line; a parallel line, a parallel plane, etc. [1913 Webster]

Who made the spider parallels design, Sure as De Moivre, without rule or line ? --Pope. [1913 Webster]

2. Direction conformable to that of another line, [1913 Webster]

Lines that from their parallel decline. --Garth. [1913 Webster]

3. Conformity continued through many particulars or in all essential points; resemblance; similarity. [1913 Webster]

Twixt earthly females and the moon All parallels exactly run. --Swift. [1913 Webster]

4. A comparison made; elaborate tracing of similarity; as, Johnson's parallel between Dryden and Pope. [1913 Webster]

5. Anything equal to, or resembling, another in all essential particulars; a counterpart. [1913 Webster]

None but thyself can be thy parallel. --Pope. [1913 Webster]

6. (Geog.) One of the imaginary circles on the surface of the earth, parallel to the equator, marking the latitude; also, the corresponding line on a globe or map; as, the counry was divided into North and South at the 38th parallel. [1913 Webster +PJC]

7. (Mil.) One of a series of long trenches constructed before a besieged fortress, by the besieging force, as a cover for troops supporting the attacking batteries. They are roughly parallel to the line of outer defenses of the fortress. [1913 Webster]

8. (Print.) A character consisting of two parallel vertical lines (thus, ||) used in the text to direct attention to a similarly marked note in the margin or at the foot of a page. [1913 Webster]

9. (Elec.) That arrangement of an electrical system in which all positive poles, electrodes, terminals, etc., are joined to one conductor, and all negative poles, etc., to another conductor; -- called also {multiple}. Opposed to {series}.

Note: Parts of a system so arranged are said to be

{in parallel} or

{in multiple}. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

{Limiting parallels}. See under {Limit}, v. t.

{Parallel of altitude} (Astron.), one of the small circles of the sphere, parallel to the horizon; an almucantar.

{Parallel of declination} (Astron.), one of the small circles of the sphere, parallel to the equator.

{Parallel of latitude}. (a) (Geog.) See def. 6. above. (b) (Astron.) One of the small circles of the sphere, parallel to the ecliptic. [1913 Webster]